Locomotive main rod



July 5, 1927.

J. KINDERVATER I LOCOMOTIVE MAIN ROD Filed April 19. 1926 v ndfi INVENTOR Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES I i 7' JULIUS xmnnnva'rnn,

LOCOMOTIV PATENT oFFilcE.

E MAIN ROD.

Application filed April 19, 1926. Serial No. 103,103.

My invention relates to main connecting rods, through which the reciprocating movement of locomotive cross heads is transmitted to, and effects the rotation of crank pins connected to the main driving axles thereof, and is more particularly designed for application in the main rods of the middle cylinders of three cylinder locomotives. The object of the invention is to provide 10 readily detachable means for taking up wear, and greater facilityfor manipulating the main rod when necessary to renew or replace the crank pin bearings thereof.

7, The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the crankpin end portion of a locomotive main rod embodying my invention; Fig. 2, .a side View, in elevation, of the same; and, Fig. 3, an end view,

' partly in section, of the same, as seen from the left. v e

In the practice of my invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is hereln exemplified, the

.body, -1, of the main rod, is of the ordinary form and of rectangular or I section, as preferred. The body, 1, is, at its end adjoining the crank pin bearing, deepened and wid-e ened so as to form a rectangular rear end block, 1 against the rear, the top, and the bottom of which there is fitted a two section strap, comprising an upper member, 2, and a lower member, 2 which are angularly recessed to fit against, and are secured to, the 'end block, 1, by bolts, 3, and nuts, 8?. The upper and lower members of the strap fit, one against the other, on opposite sides of the crank pin bearing, and are secured, one 40 to the other, at their rear ends, that is to say, their ends in rear of the crank pin bearing, by bolts, 4, and nuts,4. They are also, preferably, as shown, secured together, on the forward side of the crank pin bearing, by a bolt, 5, and nuts, 5*.

The upper and lower members, 2, 2 .of the two section strap are semicylindrically recessed, to constitute a receptacle, in which there are fitted renewable semicircular wear strips or liners, 6, which surround a segmental crank pin bushing, 7, ofthe floating or freely revolvable type, and abut in the longitudinal middle plane'of the rod.- The wear strips are secured to the members of the strap by welding, so asto preventthem from turning therein. a

The two section strap above described, enables a worn bushing to be removed, and replacedtby anew one, in shorter timeand' with materially greater facility than has been possible with prior designs of straps, and in view of the fact that the middle crank pin of a three cylinedr locomotive is located between two adjacent crank discs,

a main rod construction which will facilitate replacement of the crank pin bushing, is manifestly of substantial advantagein practice. The bolts connecting the members of the strap to'the body of the rod are tightly fitted, and are driven upwardly from the bottom, and when replacing a bushing, they are driven downwardly sufficiently far to remove the uppermember of the strap only, after having removed the rear end bolts, 4:. When the upper member of the strap is removed, and the rod temporarily supported in place, the segments of the bushing, 7, can be removed from the crank around which they are fitted, and a new set ofsegments, of full thickness, be applied, after which the upper member is restored to its normal position, and connected to the lower member. As compared with the practice in existing designs in which the entire heavy strap must be removed from the rod, the operation is materially simpler, easier, and'quicker.

The wear strips or liners, 6, constitute a simple and ready means for maintaining a true cylindrical surface, upon which the floating bushing may rotate, without causing any wear on the members of the strap. It will be seen that renewal ofa pair of liners is muchquicker and less expensive than the replacement of the strap members.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a locomotive mainconnecting rod, the combination of a body; an enlarged head at one" end thereof; a pair of straps, each having a recess intermediate its length, and a recess at its rear end, the intermediate recesses being of a form to provide a crank pin cavity, when the straps are assembled, and the rear recesses being of a form to provide a cavity for the head of the body, the straps having faces intermediatev the crank pin and head cavities, adapted to abut when the straps are assembled, and faces forward of the crank pin cavity, adapted to abut when the straps are assembled; bolts passing vertically through the straps and head for securing the straps to the head; and a bolt passing hearl. cavities adapted to abut when the straps are assembled, and faces ferwal'cl of the crank pin cavity, adapted to abut when the straps are assembled; a liner, secured in the crank pin cavity; a renewable bushing,

meuntml cnthe liner; hell's passing vertically 1 through the straps and head, for securing the straps re the head: and a bolt, pasisng vertically Through the straps forward 01 the crank pin cavity.

JULIUS KINDERVATER. 

